Switchboard construction



AprilK 9, 1940- M. J. RUBEL 2,196,399

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April 9, 1940. M, 1 RUBEL 2,196,399

SWITCHBOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed Nov. 24, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheep 2 wlLNEssEs; L 22 INVENTOR April 9, 1940 M. J. RUBEL 2,196,399

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INVENTOR WITNESSES:

Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCHBOABD CONSTRUCTION vanla Application November 24, 1937, Serial No. 176,310

'ICIaimm BLV invention relates. generally, to switchboards and more particularly to enclosed switchboards oi the cubicle type which are constructed principally o! steel or other suitable metal.

l Many prior attempts have been made to provide steel switchboards of the cubicle type which are of a standard construction. However, a majority of the prior attempts at standardization have been unsuccessful because oi the failure to l0 reduce the various types oi switchboards to certain standard elements which always remain the same regardless of the physical dimensions of the switchboard or cubicle. As a result oi the failure to utilize standard elements in the conll struction of steel switchboards, it has been necessary ior the switchboard manufacturers to make a complete set of drawings for each Job in order that the units can be assembled in the shop. It is apparent that such a procedure requires the exm penditure of large amounts of money for the making of drawings for each order received for a new switchboard or cubicle, even though it may be oi a type previously constructed but of dlierent dimensions.

An object of my invention, generally stated, is to provide a metal enclosed switchboard or cubicle wnicn may be economically designed and readily manufactured and installed.

A more speciiic object oi my invention is to U provide a switchboard which may be constructed principally irom standard metal elements.

Another object of my invention is to provide a number of standard elements of different shapes which may be utilized to construct switchboards oi various types.

Other objects oi my invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In accordance with my invention, a number oi' d0 standard or universal formed sheet metal shapes are provided which are so designed that they can be readily interlocked or iltted together and welded in place to form a switchboard structure. These standard shapes may be combined in a u great many diiierent ways to form a number of switchboards. or cubicles, of dlierent types, certain of the standard shapes reoccurring in the various types oi switchboards.

`For a iuller understanding of the nature and objects oi my invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

l Figure 1 isaview,inperspective,ofaportion oi a switchboard structure constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are views, in perspective, oi' certain of the standard shapes utilized in the switchboard structures;

Figs. 6 and 7 are also views in perspective, showing certain of the standard shapes fitted together;

Figs. 8 and 9 are views, in front and side elevation, respectively, of a switchboard of the dis- 10 tribution type constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view of the switchboard illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, showing a method of supporting switching apparatus in the switch- 15 board structure;

Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional views, in plan and elevation, respectively, ot a metal-enclosed switchboard embodying my invention; Fig. 12 being taken along the line X11-XII of Fig. 11; 20

Figs. 13 and 14 are sectional views, in elevation and plan, respectively, of a switchboard of the desk type embodying my invention; Fig. 14 being taken along the line XIV-XIV oi Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view, in section, taken along the 25 line XV-XV of Fig. 13; and

Figs. 16 and 17 are Views in perspective, of modified forms of certain of the standard shapes which may be utilized in switchboard structures.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1, wherein the framework for one cell or cubicle oi.' a multi-cell switchboard is illustrated, the framework shown comprises a pair of center columns I0, one of which is disposed at the front and the other at the rear of the structure, a pair of corner columns Il also disposed at the front and the rear of the switchboard, cross members I4 extending from the front columns to the rear columns at both the top and the bottom of the structure, also horizontally disposed cross member l5 extending between the two iront columns at the top and the bottom of the structure and similar cross 'members extending between the rear columns as shown, and a pair of additional spacing members 23 which ex- 5 tend horizontally between the two iront columns I0 and Il.

It will be seen that the column member I0 is of a U-shape with laterally extending flanges on both legs of the U. 'I'he column may be 50 formed readily from sheet metal into the shape illustrated. Likewise, the columns Il, which are substantially rectangular in shape with a ange at one side, may also be formed from sheet metal. Each one of the columns Il is provided with an 55 offset portion on the side opposite the flange to permit a sheet metal panel 2| to be inserted flush with the end of the structure as shown more clearly in Figs. 10 and 11, to enclose the switchboard when desired.

As shown, the cross members I4 are of a U- shape and likewise the spacing members 2l. These members may also be formed readily from sheet metal. It will be noted that the members I4 are of a proper width to permit their ends to be inserted into the U-shaped columns I or to be butted against the flanged edge of the column members II. Furthermore, the spacing members 23 are of a proper width to be butted against the widest sides of the column members at the front of the switchboard. When desired, spacing members 23 may be provided at the rear of the switchboard.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 6 and 7, the cross members may be welded to the column members at their junction points and, if desired, the framework may be fastened to the usual channel base members 22 which support the entire structure. In this manner, the various members which comprise the framework may be readily assembled and when welded together constitute a rigid structure for supporting the switchboard apparatus.

In order to support a sheet steel barrier 2l between the cell units, barrier supports I8 and I9 are provided.' It will be seen that the barrier support I8 is of a proper width to fit inside the U-shaped column members I0 and it may be welded thereto, while the barrier support I9 is slightly narrower in width and may be spot welded inside of the channel member I4, the ends of which are disposed inside of the column members I0.

If desired, the column members I0 and the cross members I4 may be formed as shown in Figs. 16 and 1'7, respectively, to make practically closed rectangles. In this case the barrier supports I8 and I9 may be omitted and the barrier 24 inserted through the openings left in one side of the members I0 and I4 and spot welded thereto.

When the spacing members 23 are provided for dividing the cell structure into several sections, sheet steel panels 25 may be removably secured to the iront of the structure by means of screws 28, as shown in Fig. 8. In the event that it is not desired to utilize the spacing members 23, a sheet steel panel 2lmay be removably secured to the flanges of the column members by means of bolts 28, as shown in Fig. 7. Likewise, sheet steel panels may be removably secured to the rear of the panel if desired, thereby completely enclosing the framework of the structure.

As shown in Fig. l by the broken lines, the structure may be continued to the right and in a like manner to the left to provide one or more cubicles similar to the one illustrated. In order that the complete switchboard structure may be assembled at the factory and then taken apart in units of a suitable size for shipping, an additional unit may be provided at the left of the cubicle i1- lustrated by placing column members II alongside of the ones shown and joining them by means of bolts 29 in the manner shown. In this manner the switchboard may be divided into units suitable for shipping.

As a further aid to the handling of the structure during the shipping operations, nuts 3 I having a threaded hole therein, may be welded in the top of the column members II into which eyebolts may be screwed to permit the unit to be lifted by a crane or other suitable device. Likewise, holes I2 may be drilled in the top of the center cross member Il for insertion of similar eye-bolts into nuts 32 secured on the under side of the channel member I4.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the column member I3, which is similar to the column member I I but of a shallower depth, and the column member I2, similar to the member Il but also shallower in depth, are provided as standard shapes in addition to. the elements illustrated in Fig. 1. The shallower columns may be utilized in the structure in place of the ones shown in Fig. 1 when a lighter structure is desired. Likewise, the channel member Il or I1 may be utilized in place of the channel II when it is desired to provide a lighter structure.

It will be seen from the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 7 that the various standard shapes which I have devised may be readily formed from sheet metal and that these shapes are so designed that they may be readily interconnected together to form a compact and rigid structure which is pleasing in appearance. By utilizing sheet steel, the weight of the completed switchboard structure may be materially reduced from the weight of previous structures in which the framework consisted of heavier material.

In order to illustrate some of the different types of switchboards which may be readily constructed by utilizing the standard shapes herein described, various typical designs of switchboards are shown in Figs. 8 to 14, inclusive. However, it is to be understood that the switchboards illustrated are merely typical of the many different types which can be built by utilizing these universal shapes, which are not limited in their utility to the designs shown.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 10, I have shown a typical switchboard of the distribution type in which automatic circuit breakers 35 are mounted in the switchboard structure by means of insulating terminals N.

As shown in Fig. 10, the framework of the structure comprises the center columns I0, corner columns II and cross members I herein described. The circuit breakers I5 are supported by the insulating terminals 3B which, in turn, are carried by cross members 31 secured to the columns I0 and II by means of bolts 38, spacing members 39 being disposed between the rear columns and the cross members 21 in order to maintain the circuit breakers at the proper distance from the rear of the structure. If desired, the cross members l1 may be secured to the front columns instead of to the rear columns, in which case the bolts 38 are connected to the flanges on the front columns I0 and II.

As stated hereinbefore, the front panels 25, through which the operating handles 4I of the breaker units project, may be removably secured to the front of the structure by means of screws 26. In this manner the panels may be removed to permit the circuit breaker units to be removed from the front of the structure in case it is desired to replace or inspect one of the units.

The switchboard illustrated in Figs. l1 and 12 is of a type in which a swinging panel or door I2 is provided for one side of the structure to permit ready access to the interior cf the cubicle. It will be seen that the framework of this structure comprises a number of the universal shapes hereinbefore described. Thus, the column members II are utilized at the corners of the structure and the members III are utilised for the center columns. Also, the channel members Il are utilized as cross members at both the top and the bottom of the structure. A sheet metal panel 2i may be secured at the end of the structure in the recesses provided in the column members II, as shown. A sheet metal barrier 24 is also provided between the cubicle units and held in position by means of barrier supports Il which are disposed inside of the channel column members III.

If desired, an additional top trim 43 may be secured on top of the structure by screws 44 which are threaded into holes provided in the cross members I5. Also, an end trim 45, similar in shape to the top trim 43, may be secured at the end of the structure by screws 46 which are threaded into nuts 41 provided inside oi' the column members II.

As shown, the door 42 may be hingedI in the structure by means oi' pins 48 which extend through holes provided in the cross members I5. The door may be held in the closed position by means of a latch I which engages one oi' the flanges on the center column III and is operated from the outside of the door by means of a handle 52.

If desired, the other side of the structure may be closed by means of a sheet metal panel 53 which is removably secured to the cross members I5 by means of bolts 54. In this manner, access may be had to the interior oi' the structurei'rom both the front and the rear. As shown, numerous bracket members 55, 56 and 5l may be readily mounted on the interior of the structure for supporting switchboard apparatus, not shown. Furthermore, a flexible conductor 58 may be utilized for connecting apparatus, which may be mounted on the swinging door, to equipment mounted inside the cell structure in the usual manner. Thus it will be seen that the universal shapes herein described may be utilized in constructing a switchboard of a type which has previously been considered as being of a complicated design.

As a further illustration of the flexibility of the universal shapes which I have devised, a switchboard of the desk type is shown in Figs. 13 and 14. As in the designs previously described, the rectangularly shaped members II are utilized as the corner columns for the main portion of the switchboard and the U-shaped members III are utilized as the center columns. However, the smaller members I2 and I3 are utilized as the columns for the desk portion of the switchboard. The U-shaped channel members I6 are provided as cross members at the front of the desk, as shown, and also at the top oi' the rear of the structure. In order to permit the rear panels 59 to be removed readily, the channel members I1, in which one leg is shorter than the other, is utilized at the bottom of the structure, thereby permitting the rear panel to be raised as indicated by the dotted lines and readily removed from the rear of the board.

The table 6I of the desk is formed from sheet metal and may be held in position by means of clamps 62, which are secured to the channel member 63 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 15. The ends of the structure may be enclosed by means of sheet metal panels 2| disposed in the recesses provided in the corner columns II and I 3, as shown, and a sheet metal top 64, thereby providing an enclosed structure to which access may be had from the rear in the manner hereinbefore described. If desired, a swinging panel,

similar to' the one shown in Figs. il and 12, may be utilized in place of the panel Il.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the structures described have numerous advantages over previously known switchboard l structures. Since it is possible to produce the universal shapes in large quantities, because of their wide applicationin switchboards of various types, and in viewof the general simplification of the manner in which they may be fitted or inl0 terlocked together, the cost of producing steel switchboards can be materially reduced. Furthermore, large savings can be realized by the use of coded drawings and typical steel assembly drawings which can be prepared for cubicles of any certain type, but varied as to dimensions, thereby making it unnecessary to prepare complete drawings oi the steel assemblies for each individual order as has been the previous practice among switchboard manufacturers.

I do not desire to be restricted to the particular form or arrangement of parts herein shown and described since it is evident that they may be changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as deiined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention.:

l. A switchboard structure comprising spaced substantially enclosed formed sheet metal upright frame members having iianges thereon, formed $0 sheet metal channel cross members welded to said upright members at their junction points, and sheet metal panel members mounted on the frame members for enclosing the switchboard structure. u

2. A switchboard structure comprising substantially rectangular formed sheet metal upright frame members having flanges thereon, formed sheet metal channel cross members welded to said upright members at their junction points, barrier supports disposed within part of said upright members and said cross members and secured thereto, and sheet metal barriers secured to said barrier supports.

3. A switchboard structure comprising formed metal column members disposed at the outside corners thereof, additional formed metal column members disposed between the corner members, formed metal channel members horizontally disposed between said column members and welded thereto at their junction points, formed metal barrier supports disposed in said intermediate column members, and sheet metal barriers secured to said barrier supports.

4. A switchboard structure comprising formed 56 metal column members disposed at the outside corners thereof, additional formed metal column members disposed between the corner members, said additional members being of a U shape and having laterally extending ilanges thereon, formed metal channel members horizontally disposed between said column members and welded thereto at their junction points, and sheet metal panels removably secured to the iianges on said column members.

5. A switchboard structure comprising formed metal column members disposed at the outside corners thereof, additional formed metal column members disposed between the corner members, said additional members being of a U shape and having laterally extending anges thereon, formed metal channel members horizontally disposed between said column members and welded thereto at their junction points, formed metal barrier supports disposed inside of part oi said u channel members, sheet metal barriers secured to said barrier supports, and sheet metal panels removably secured to said columns.

6. A switchboard structure comprising substantially rectangular formed metal column members disposed at the outside corners thereof, each of said members having a laterally extending flange thereon, additional formed metal column members disposed between the corner members, said additional members being of a U shape and having laterally extending flanges thereon, formed metal channel members horizontally disposed between said column members and welded thereto at their junction points, formed metal barrier supports disposed inside of the U-shaped column members, sheet metal barriers secured to said barrier supports, and sheet metal panels removably secured to the flanges on said columns.

'7. A switchboard structure comprising substantially rectangular formed metal column members disposed at the outside corners thereof, each of said members having a laterally extending flange on one side and an oiIset portion on the opposite side, additional formed metal column members disposed between the corner members, said additional members being of a U shape and having laterally extending anges thereon, formed metal channel members horizontally disposed between said column members and welded thereto at their junction points, and sheet metal panels disposed in the onset portions of the column members.

MAX J. RUBEL. 

